Spongy Moth in Virginia

the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires removal of spongy (formerly gypsy) moths before transporting items outside of quarantined areas
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, European Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) North America quarantine

The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) was known as the gypsy moth until renamed by the Entomological Society of America in 2022. The term "gypsy" was a derogatory reference to the Romani people, and perceived as an ethnic slur.¹

Links

• Gypsy Moth Program
• Fairfax County - Gypsy Moths in Fairfax County
• Montgomery County - Gypsy Moth Program
• Nature - How gypsy moth is kept high to die (September 8, 2011)
• Slow the Spread Foundation
• US Forest Service
• Gypsy Moth in North America
• Virginia Cumulative Gypsy Moth Defoliation, George Washington National Forest
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Gypsy Moth Suppression
• Virginia Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
• Virginia Tech
• Gypsy Moth in Virginia
• The Gypsy Moth in Virginia: History, Management, and Educational Programs

the blue and red spots on a spongy moth larvae are distinctive characteristics
Source: Wikipedia, Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar), Larva (by Ryan Hodnett)

References